Ahead of International Day For Older Persons, residents from Romsey care home, Abbotswood Court, are demonstrating how older people can provide valuable contributions to their community.
Over 30% of the local population in Test Valley are now over the age of 60, with this figure set to continue increasing. Globally, by 2050 over 20 percent of the world’s population will be aged 60 or older. With this in mind, the 1st of October is officially marked by the United Nations as ‘International Day of Older Persons’, a day dedicated to highlighting the particular needs and challenges faced by older people.
Equally, the day aims to raise attention to the essential contribution the majority of older men and women can continue to make to the functioning of society if adequate guarantees are in place. In Romsey, residents at Abbotswood Court Care Home are highlighting these possibilities by making substantial day to day contributions at the care home assisting staff and other residents.
Care home residents are making substantial day to day contributions
Commenting on the valuable contributions these residents make to the care home, General Manager Gemma Ridout-Bowden said:
“Our aim at Abbotswood Court is to help older people live happier, healthier, more fulfilled lives. Many of our residents are keen to contribute to life at our home and the wider community and it’s our job to help facilitate and support them in this.”
Residents at the care home have been involved in developments at the home from interviewing prospective candidates applying for roles at Abbotswood Court, working with the home’s activities co-ordinators to plan days out and give back to the local community, to choosing local food suppliers to be used by the care home’s chefs. One such resident, Tom, aged 93, also sings regularly with local entertainer Paul Nicholls at the home’s weekly community coffee mornings. Joy, another Abbotswood Court resident, assists by picking runner beans and tomatoes growing in the home’s vegetable patch which are then used by the kitchen.
Gemma continues:
“As the number of older people in our population continues to grow it’s essential that we support them as valued and contributing members of our communities. We hope that people across Romsey, Hampshire and the UK will look to the example our residents and other inspirational older people across the country are setting and realise the contribution the majority of older people can make in all aspects of society.”
Abbotswood Court is a new modern care home set in beautifully landscaped gardens in Romsey. It provides accommodation and individual care for older people with a range of needs including dementia. For more information about the care, accommodation, services, and events that Abbotswood Court provides, visit www.cinnamoncc.com/luxury-care-homes/abbotswood-court/care-and-facilities or for the latest events updates follow them on Facebook.com@abbotswoodcourt.